66 NARRATIVE, &c. 



the purpose of breakfast, on an open pine bank, (left shore.) 

 near the termination of the third plateau. Several beautifully 

 clear and cool springs were observed running from its base into 

 the river. It requires, indeed, but a bare recollection of ob- 

 served facts, to make it evident that the waters of both branches 

 of the Mississippi, have their origin in springs of bright and 

 pure water. It may be farther observed, that although the Up- 

 per Mississippi receives a number of colored tributaries, all its 

 larger rivers are pure, and it is itself essentially a clear stream, 

 when not in flood, as far as its junction with the Missouri. 



At four o'clock, we came to the junction of the Piniddiwin, 

 a tributary from the left, having its origin in a lake, and entering 

 the Mississippi amidst an extensive marsh of rice, reeds, and 

 rushes, which give it rather the appearance of a marsh than a 

 lake. It is, however, called Lac la Folle. This spot was esti- 

 mated to be one hundred and four miles below Itasca Lake. 

 The name of the river employed above, is an abbreviation of 

 the phrase Jah-pinuniddewin, the place of violent deaths, in al- 

 lusion to an inroad and murder committed at this place, in for- 

 mer times, by the Sioux. A party of this tribe, had previously 

 entrenched themselves on the river above, at a spot which con- 

 cealed their position and gave them command of the river chan- 

 nel. After waiting here for a time, without success, they pro- 

 ceeded lower, and discovered a Chippewa lodge, not far below 

 the entrance of this river. It was cautiously approached, as- 

 saulted, and all its inmates killed, without distinction of a^e or 

 sex. This event happened at an early period. No persons are 

 now living who were contemporary with the victims. And it 

 may be regarded as one of the occurrences which marked the 

 Chippewa conquest of this portion of the country. 



About eighteen miles below the junction of the Piniddiwin, 

 we debarked for the purpose of cooking supper, and preparing 

 our canoes for a night descent, as the channel of the river was 

 now sufficiently broad, deep, and equable to justify it. An 

 Ocant Ekinabic, was killed at this place. Lieut. Allen, wish- 



